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Interview on NPR on Riyaaz Qawwali

I was recently interviewed on NPR about Riyaaz Qawwali, a group out of Austin, TX. Hussein Rashid, a professor of religion at Hofstra University, says that many qawwaliartists working in South Asia today have limited themselves. He believes this American group is bringing the music back to its roots.  “You know, I think there’s been so much concern about what is Islam, and what isn’t, politically speaking and artistically speaking,” Rashid says, “that there’s been a push in modern qawwali to actually sanitize it and make it very sterile — and almost rule-bound — rather than ecstatic and devotional. For me, I think…

9/11 Unity Walk – DC

The 9/11 Unity Walk invites you to commemorate the 10 years since the acts of terror on September 11, 2001 by building bridges of respect and understanding. IMAGINE the sound of the Muslim call to prayer at Washington’s largest synagogue. Imagine Jewish cantors and “Amazing Grace” sung over the mosque loudspeakers.LEARN about different faiths at open houses for churches, synagogues, temples, gurdwaras and mosques. BE MOVED BY speakers with names like Tutu and Gandhi, enjoy diverse cuisines, and participate in a service project hosted by Unity Walk‘s Interfaith Youth Action Group (IYAG). Desmond Tutu, on the Unity Walk: “It touches…